A lantern-like porous roof canopy sits atop a modular residence in Hyderabad, India, infusing its interiors with natural light. The corrugated aluminium structure with north-facing clerestory windows and skylights at its peak creates a striking juxtaposition with the project's brick architecture to evoke an earthy, pastoral charm that bridges modernity with tradition. Designed by Indian architect Kiron Cheerla and his eponymous Hyderabad-based architectural studio, the 2650 square feet residential building is situated on a garden landscape characterised by loose black cotton soil. The challenging terrain led the architects to opt for pile foundations, to ensure structural stability while embracing the site’s natural conditions. "The rustic character of Pott House was largely shaped by the unique conditions of the site and the client's desire for a cost-effective, locally sourced solution,” the studio tells STIR.

Surrounded by 8-9 feet-high exposed brick walls, the inward-looking single-storey residence sits on a 300 square yard-area plot. The remaining plot has been left as open space to align with the client's preference for a compact and economical design. The initial scheme, however, had a contrasting approach, which placed the main house on one side of the central courtyard and a guest suite with car parking on the other. Opting for a phased construction thereby reflects the project’s adaptability and foresight, which, per Cheerla, may involve expanding the built area "by adding the guest room and car parking in phase two, or selling the other half of the plot.”

Pott House employs a modular grid system that as the design team notes, “influenced everything, from precise window and door placement to optimal room sizes.” The home's central hub is a double-height living and dining space at the ground level, set beneath exposed timber trusses. To create a sense of intimacy, this communal space is flanked by a bedroom and kitchen on either side, featuring lower ceilings and subdued walls. Above, the compact first floor occupies the southern end of the house, accommodating two additional bedrooms which are linked by a corridor that offers a view into the expansive living area below.

Analysing the choice of construction materials, Cheerla explains, “The decision to avoid using steel above ground level significantly influenced both the structural integrity and aesthetic outcomes of the building.” This necessitated the use of intermediate supports for the trusses to span the required distances. A rhythmic pattern of wooden columns was introduced to add visual interest and support the structure's lightweight, open-plan design, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.

A dense, termite-resistant hardwood indigenous to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Maddi Karra, was chosen for panelling due to its robust strength and reduced need for chemical treatments, with linseed oil replacing the requirement for extensive finishes. “While Maddi Karra was initially chosen for its cost-effectiveness, other materials like teak and sal were considered but later rejected due to the increase in cost,” the design team tells STIR. “The abundance and accessibility of Maddi Karra within the region ultimately led to its selection.”

Reflecting on a significant challenge faced with the wood during construction, the designers recognised that the expansion and contraction of Maddi Karra was greater than that of regular wood causing operational issues with doors and windows during seasonal temperature changes. The revelation resulted in the replacement of these elements with conventional wood. However, to mitigate the challenges posed by the material for the rest of the construction, the team employed CNC cutting which further ensured precision and efficiency.

The north-facing clerestory windows and skylights integrated into the gabled roof enhance ventilation, security and visual clarity. Operable from ground level via a rope mechanism, these vertically extending features can open to a limited angle of 30 degrees, protecting from insect intrusion. The inventive design of the roof further modulates the indoor climate by removing hot air through convection and minimising heat gain by inviting indirect light.

The residential interiors inherently embrace several sustainable design principles through thoughtful material and architectural choices. While the omission of steel and concrete above ground level curtails the carbon footprint, use of renewable resources such as wood reduces reliance on energy-intensive materials. Leveraging passive energy strategies, Cheerla incorporated “ample natural light and cross-ventilation” in the project, thus reducing “the need for artificial lighting and cooling, while the linear layout and skylights facilitate heat dissipation.” As per the design team, “these features collectively enhance the building’s environmental performance and contribute to a more sustainable living environment.”

Pott House exhibits a cohesive palette of earthy tones, in which the exposed wood’s natural grain pattern further enriches the spatial narrative. Drawing on the rich heritage of Japanese joinery techniques, the meticulous connections and structural integrity of the wooden interiors morphs contemporary design with traditional Indian craftsmanship.

Previous residential projects from Hyderabad, published on STIR include a three-storied home christened Clay featuring a floating staircase, brutalist coffer ceiling and interlocking volumes by Sona Reddy Studio; a nuanced design enhancing the concrete volume of the Sireniti House by Kanan Modi Associates; and RH21 by DA Studios as a multi-family home creating a dramatic architectural statement with jutting planes and irregular volumetry.

Project Details

Name: Pott House
Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
Typology: Residential Architecture
Architect: Kiron Cheerla Architecture Design
Gross Built Area: 2650 sq ft
Year of Completion: 2021